Iceland review - 2016, Side 84

82 ICELAND REVIEW
Akureyri is often referred to as Iceland’s
“second city,” and the town of 18,000
has its own personality. There are gardens
to explore around town, charming muse-
ums, an eclectic range of restaurants and
a thriving art scene. Akureyri also boasts
first-rate hotels, and its concert hall, Hof,
is a must-see for architecture enthusiasts.
Akureyri is the perfect place to base your-
self while exploring the north, book day
tours for nearby attractions, enjoy winter
sports, or soak up the culture.
WINTER ACTIVITIES
There’s so much to do in and around town,
and there are several tour operators that
offer all kinds of day tours from Akurey-
ri; such as northern lights, local food and
culture, ice fishing, sea angling, horse-rid-
ing and sightseeing tours by road or air.
The Hlíðarfjall mountain ski area is just a
few minutes outside town and offers more than a dozen well-kept trails with a ski
season usually from November through
to April. The slopes are wide open, with-
out trees, and offer gorgeous views of
stunning Eyjafjörður fjord. Other popu-
lar activities include snowboarding and
cross-country skiing, and guests can rent
all the equipment they need at the ski re-
sort. Thrill-seekers can also arrange guides
for heli-skiing, ice climbing, ice fishing,
snowmobiling, and snowcat tours. Those
who want to get out on the open water
can go whale watching in the fjord, where
guests can spot minke whales, humpback
whales and sometimes even blue whales
swimming close by.
Winter visitors are eager to catch a
glimpse of the majestic northern lights,
and the region around Akureyri is an ide-
al place to go on a hunt. The high moun-
tains, low precipitation, wide open region
and low light pollution give you a good
chance to witness the lights flicker, change
colors and dance in the sky.
TOWN CULTURE
Akureyri is a fantastic town for walking—
visiting art museums, galleries, design
shops and restaurants serving up fresh and
local food. The town’s weekend nightlife
rivals Reykjavík’s scene. Local bars take
pride in serving Icelandic beers from lo-
cal breweries, and bars often feature live
music.
Going swimming in a thermal pool is a
must in Iceland as the water is clean and
naturally warm. There are several thermal
pools in Akureyri but the most popular
is the Akureyri thermal pool, Sundlaug
Akureyrar, which has two outdoor pools,
slides, a sauna and hot tubs. It’s the per-
fect way to spend a few hours relaxing and
experiencing the local culture.
Akureyri recently topped Lonely Planet’s
list of the ten best places to visit in Europe
in 2015. See for yourself why Akureyri is a
must-see!
visitakureyri.is
AKUREYRI
CAPITAL OF THE NORTH
Enjoy Akureyri’s numerous winter activities and rich culture.
SPECIAL PROMOTIONTHE ARCTIC NORTH
Hótel Kea | Hafnarstræti 87 - 89 | Tel.: +354 460 2000 | kea@keahotels.is
Múlaberg Bistro & Bar | Hótel Kea | Tel.: +354 460 2020
AKUREYRI, THE WINTER PARADISE
IN THE NORTH
Treat yourself to elegance, luxury and wellness.
Experience new adventures, new avors and the beauty of it all.